Editor:I must set the record straight regarding the censure by Seminole Council. This was a baseless attempt to discredit me. I am not so naive as to think that these things donít happen in politics. I am not in this office for a popularity contest, but to serve my city. That said, the censure is character assassination, which has led to unsubstantiated accusations. Should this continue, it will be followed by charges of libel and/or slander.

I am guilty of one thing Ė asking questions and expecting answers. I recently wrote three yet unanswered letters to City Manager Edmunds. The letters inquired about an employee repeating a death threat on an elected official; unauthorized filing through city records without the clerkís permission and the resultant lock being changed on the official files of the city; and why a candidate who missed an election deadline was qualified by our city to run. I also questioned city policy on threats of violence. The censure is a theatrical distraction from those serious questions.

Citizens should seek out the facts through City Hall, which may become more difficult, as the major issue during censure discussion was Councilís motion allowing the city to choose not to fulfill public requests for information. Under this new motion, if a citizen asks our manager for information, which could expose mismanagement, Edmunds can, at his discretion, now simply ask if Council would dismiss the request. Fortunately, video-recordings of meetings are on the cityís website and my unanswered letters are posted at www.patplant.blogspot.com.